Under The Moon's Embrace

Asher's Fury

Chapter 9

Today was the moon festival. I had waited a few painful days for this moment. One of the objects might be in the temple. If it's not there, I will have to search the Alpha house next. I really wish I didn't need to go that far.

Compass, pearl, and blood, I repeated to myself as I slipped through the temple front doors.

The compass should be in the Aphrodite temple, according to the "conversation" I had with Darius. However, Faith and I were going to Selene's temple. So, I didn't have any hope of finding it here. Even more unnerving, there is no temple celebrating goddess Aphrodite as far as Faith knew.

As for the pearl, it was a mystery like the rest of the damned objects. Darius mentioned being from the Lethe River. But isn't Lethe River in the underworld? Does it mean I have to die to find it?

The only thing at hand would be the blood of the daemon. That is, if that jerk even comes back.

There must be millions of pearls and compasses lying around. How the fuck will I find the right one?

If I couldn't find the objects, I could at least get my hands on some of the potions to protect myself. I didn't want another Daphne or Asher situation happening any time soon.

I had visited to the black market, but the prices of bidding object started at an astronomical price. Later that day I came to realization, even if Faith's budget was enough, I didn't want the illegal items to lead back to us.

The trip was not completely useless. While at the illegal market, I overheard a woman bragging about paying a teen priest to get her hand on the black dahlia potion to keep her husband in "love" with her. She complained about the temple running out of it, and tried to sell her a fake one. Calling them "crooks and terrible" It was a bit rich coming from her while she was controlling her husband. Gross.

I noted down the useful ones after checking with Faith. She was an expert herbologist in her final year at the academy. Her holidays were almost over, and if we didn't find a solution soon, I would have no choice but to join in her stead.

After walking a good chunk of the way, I saw people going into different prayer rooms. I found myself in the far east of the temple. It was beyond beautiful; it was breathtaking. The inside of the section was like a recreation of Mont Olympus. There are no other words to describe it.

The noise was coming from every direction, as happiness glowed on every face. From what I heard from Faith, people celebrate all night. It was the perfect night to search the temple for the items for the portal. I haven't seen Darius and Xenos since the day they announced their departure. And I definitely do not miss them.

As nervous as I was, I followed a young priest in a  white robe and golden colored hat. I was used to following people on Marco's orders, so it wasn't hard. Even then I couldn't help feeling someone was again watching me.

What will happen if I get caught? I lied to Faith saying we should go to pay respect to Selene while we survey the place for the objects, without breaking the rules.

Only then Faith gave in. I didn't believe in Selene so using her belief to my advantage wasn't out of bounds for me.

What other choice did I have? I didn't want another confrontation with her. Besides, she knows far more than me. Even if I look through 100 books, I can never get the knowledge of a person who has lived here all their life.